Kuala Lumpur: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed that they have already approached former men’s doubles shuttler Cheah Soon Kit about his availability to become BAM’s next men’s doubles coach. That position was vacated after Tan Kim Her has decided to join Badminton Association of India in July.
Cheah Soon Kit first paired with Wong Tat Meng in the Malaysian national team in the late 80’s. But it was with Ong Beng Teong that he showed his huge potential in men’s doubles.
In the 1988 Thomas Cup semi-final tie against Indonesia, Cheah Soon Kit and Ong Beng Teong delivered the decisive point to topple badminton superstars Liem Swie King-Bobby Ertanto for a 3-2 win that put Malaysia through to the final for the first time in 12 years. Cheah then partnered with Soo Beng Kiang to clinch the winning point for Malaysia in the 1992 Thomas Cup final.
He then subsequently forged successful partnerships with Yap Kim Hock to become the silver medalists at 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 1997 World Championships. Cheah eventually quite the national team after 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“I have met Morten Frost (technical director of BAM), and I am interested in that position,” said Cheah to Malaysian media.
BAM’s interim president Tan Sri Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid who was tasked to take over for Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff temporarily, told the media that Cheah was the top pick for Frost.
“We are confident that his combined knowledge and experience are beneficial for our national team,” said Al-Amin.
Cheah had become a successful coach for BAM when he guided Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty to win gold medals at the 2005 SEA Games and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. However, he resigned from BAM to join a private badminton club in Kuala Lumpur in 2007.
